Rapid City SD vs Tuscaloosa AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Rapid City, SD
South Dakota · Population: 76,836
- Median HH Income$65,712
- Median Home Price$363,258
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Tuscaloosa +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 4.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
| White | 78.3% | 49.6% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 5.2% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $48,536 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $31,324 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $51,690 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 7.0% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 23.8% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 45.1% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 42.6% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.0% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 21.3% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 65.0°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 55.0 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 20.0 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rapid City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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